CHARLES TAYLOR APPEAR IN COURT FRIDAY

The former Liberian leader, Charles Taylor who is detained in The Hague, the Netherlands on war crimes charges is for the third time expected to appear in court this week Friday, January 26, 2007.
According to a dispatch from the Press & Public Affairs Office of the Court, the Conference will take in Court Number 1 of the International Court before Special Court Justice Theresa Doherty .The Hearing will start at 2:00 PM, according to the release

Will Edwin Snowe Remain As Lawmaker ?

Since he was booted our last week by his colleague as Speaker of the Liberian Parliament, many are wondering if Edwin Melvin Snowe will take hold of his Representative position for Montserrado.

Even though he has challenged his removal, but the former Speaker flamboyancy is said to be weltering away following the taken away his bodyguards and other benefits that befits the position he previously had.

Over the weekend he was seen driving his private vehicle from his ELWA suburb home, this time without escort and flashes lights. a situation many discribed as "disgraceful", a lady who spoke to our reporter immediately after the former Speaker's vehicle drove off said, "Life is funny, cam you imagine Snowe is moving with escorts."

Another gentleman who claimed to be a neighbor of the former Speaker said he has noticed over the past weeks that the Former Speaker is on a daily basis receiving strange guests including people he discribed as Juju men and other visitors he also described as 'White Garment people".

"I want to believed the former is consulting these people for his come back in the House of Representatives. I have noticed that he is spending lots of money for his come back," Moses Kollie told the GNN.

The embattled Speaker raised moral and constitutional questions when he implied that his peers, perhaps incapable of taking independent acting against gross administrative inefficiency and inadequacy, were instigated by President Sirleaf through bribery to remove him.
“President Johnson-Sirleaf has undermined past governments and now she wants to undermine her own government,” Snowe said, vowing that he would remain unaffected by whatever the President to undermine him.
He said of his colleagues: “They're rebels continuing their rebel activities. We must uphold the constitution. We will not give in to pressure”.
He said even if the President was not guilty of instigating the lawmakers against him, the fact that she condoned the use of state-owned LBS to broadcast live the proceedings at the Unity Conference Center confirmed her support for the Virginia outcome.
“President Johnson-Sirleaf will not allow LBS to give live coverage to a group of cabinet ministers plotting against her,” media reports quoted the embattled speaker as saying.
He said the president was on record for undermining past regimes such as the Tolbert, Doe and Taylor governments. Now, according to him, the President was undermining her own government by plotting to overthrow head of another branch of government.
Meanwhile, Information Minister-designate Lawrence Bropleh has reacted to Snowe’s allegation, saying the Executive Branch of government has nothing to do with problem at the House of Representatives. He challenged the Speaker to provide evidence of the involvement of the Executive Branch into the saga.
Also denying the involvement of the Executive Mansion in the removal of Snowe, Presidential Press Secretary Cyrus Badio reportedly told newsmen yesterday: “Whoever the legislative body chooses as speaker or to lead, the Executive would work with them.
But it’s not that we are against Snowe and whatever that is taking place there has nothing to do with the Executive branch and it is totally in the authority of that body to decide what they want. Our only thing is that it is done in keeping with the laws of the land. As of now, there’s nothing we can do.”
Already, some Liberians have begun reacting to the decision to remove the speaker.
Cllr. Dempster Brown, Human Rights activist, has indicated his preparedness to pursue the case to the Supreme Court, but his legal colleague, Melvin Page, has discredited the decision to remove Snowe.

Now the question on many lips of Liberians is whether the former Speaker will still remain at the Parliament after being booted out/

Another Firestone Employee Butchered by Illegal Tappers

As the Management of Firestone Liberia continues to incur losses as a result of illicit tapping, another employee of the Estates Department on Sunday, January 14, 2007 sustained serious multiple body lacerations and acid burns at Tank 10, Division 31, when he was attacked by a group of illicit tapers.
According to David Mulbah who participated in the rescue mission of Headman Moses Sumo, a gang of men totaling over seventy-five (75) approached them at the said weighing tank, but sensing an imminent danger, Headman Sumo and his co-workers decided to flee in various directions. Mr. Mulbah said the men who were armed with cutlasses, sticks, acid and other sharp instruments wore mask to disguise themselves.
Explaining further, Mr. Mulbah disclosed that it was during the fleeing process that Moses Sumo was chased and subsequently caught by the illicit tapers. They then wasted acid on Mr. Sumo’s face in order to subdue him. Thereafter, his two hands and legs received deep cuts that reached his tendon as well as another deep cut in his head. Following their barbaric attack on Headman Sumo, the illicit tapers fled the scene into the near by bushes and victim Sumo managed to reach a nearby swamp helpless at which time David Mulbah and others were able to come to his aid from where they (Mulbah and others) called for further assistance.
When contacted late Sunday evening, the Area Superintendent of Division 31, Erickson Gbollie confirmed the incident. He narrated that he had to take Headman Sumo first to the Farmington Health Center at Division 28 from where he was later transferred to the Firestone Medical Center by the company’s ambulance.
An array of medical personnel headed by Dr. Alphonso Nemah was on hand to receive victim Sumo and immediately hospitalized under intensive medical attention.
Preliminary medical reports received described Mr. Sumo’s condition as critical due to the multiple injuries he sustained. Medical personnel at the Firestone Medical Center were seen making frantic efforts to save his life by means of blood transfusion.
It can be recalled that on Friday, December 15, 2006, employee David Sackie of the Estates Department fell prey to illicit tapers when acid was wasted on his back at Tank 5, Division 31. Division 31 is considered as the main epicenter where illicit tapping and other rubber related thefts are committed by hundreds of unidentified individuals roaming within the concession area of Firestone Liberia . These attacks have on numerous occasions resulted to the deaths and injuries of dedicated employees of the company trying to secure an honest living.
Residents described this latest attack by illicit tapers as gruesome with the intent of installing fear and in security within the concession area. The residents are further appealing to the Government of the Republic of Liberia through the Ministry of Justice to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of such brutality and violence which will serve as a deterrent to the alarming problem of illicit tapping within the concession of Firestone Liberia .
Firestone has been one of the most targeted victims of illicit tapping in Liberia .

As Chinese President Visit Liberia More Chinese Investors Arrives

The President of the People's Republic of China, Hu Jintao accompanied by his wife and an impressive delegation is expected to pay an official visit to Liberia nex month, February 1, 2007.

At the same time several investors from that country have become to arrive in the country, making the discliosure last week the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Lin Songtian, said these Chinese investors are gearing up to come and invest in the postwar economy of Liberia.
Ambassador Songtian said as the political, cultural and economic ties between Liberia and the People Republic of China strengthen, “more and more Chinese investors are coming to invest in Liberia to help develop the country”.
Speaking recently at the University of Liberia main campus in Monrovia where six Liberians graduated from studies in the Chinese language, Ambassador Songtian indicated that the Chinese investors are eying various sectors of the Liberian economy for possible investment.
He said the learning of the Chinese language by Liberians was a very important and positive as many Chinese would be coming to interact with Liberians on both business and diplomatic fronts, adding, that the language barrier must be broken for effective communication.
The Chinese ambassador was addressing an intellectual forum organized by the University of Liberia Student Union following the graduation program.
Ambassador Songtian noted that with rapid economic development, China has created a huge number of enterprises that are capable of investing out of China.
“The Chinese government has committed herself to encouraging and supporting Chinese enterprises by offering incentive policies and financial support (in the tune of US$5billion) to conduct their mutually beneficial and win-win operation in Africa to seek our common development,” the Ambassador said.
He said under such a policy, more and more Chinese investors will rush to African countries, with post war Liberia being no exception.
“Now,” the Chinese envoy averred, “the ball is in your court, Business is business. You have to think about how to attract them to come and sustain them here.”
“Meanwhile, China will continue to render all possible assistances within its last capacities to help Liberia, especially in the fields of education, and human resource development, capacity building, agriculture, health care, infrastructure and processing industries,” the Ambassador said.
He said the Chinese government will keep its agricultural and medical experts in Liberia saying more experts will come to introduce new knowledge and technology to Liberia.
Ambassador Songtian disclosed that a group of bamboo weaving experts have arrived in Monrovia and will commence a training program in the country soon.
Besides, the Chinese envoy indicated that we will set up and equip a center for malaria prevention and testing at the JFK Hospital as well as build three laboratories for computer, soil testing and civil engineering at the Fendall Campus of the University of Liberia.”
He then expressed optimism in seeking some Chinese teachers and professors, who will assist to teach in the areas of Chinese language, Science and technology, such as computer, and engineering science and agriculture at the UL.
UL President Dr. Al-Hassan Conteh who attended the two exercises commended the Chinese for their remarkable assistance to Liberia and the UL in particular. He said the UL looks forward to a greater collaboration with the People’s Republic of China.

First U.S. Female Speaker, Nancy Pelosi Ready For Business

Madam Pelosi Taken Oath as Her sons looks on

Nancy Pelosi who was recently sworn in as American First Female Speaker has been make her move in the House, as AFP reports: The California Democrat rammed six major bills through the House at breakneck speed, stomped out smoking privileges near the House floor, partially sidelined a powerful Democratic committee chairman and decided she liked traditionally Republican office space so much she claimed it for herself.
By Democrats' timekeeping, she did it all in far under the 100 legislative hours she had allotted.
"We did what we promised the American people we would," Pelosi declared on Friday, pledging it was "just the beginning."
Pelosi's initial agenda, completed Thursday, included measures with wide popular support: increasing the minimum wage, broadening stem cell research, allowing government bargaining on Medicare drug prices, cutting student loan costs, putting in place terrorism-fighting recommendations from the Sept. 11 commission and rolling back energy company tax breaks.
Each bill passed with bipartisan majorities and Pelosi triumphantly graveled down the votes, at one point banging the gavel so enthusiastically that it left a small dent in the podium.
Now Democrats will have to move on to thornier topics such as reconciling their conflicting views of
President Bush' name troop escalation plan, overhauling immigration laws and fixing the alternative minimum tax. That will be the true test of Pelosi's leadership, congressional observers said.
"It's sort of like a meal in which you eat your dessert first and then get the broccoli for the main course," said Rutgers political science professor Ross Baker. "It's a great debut, but it's the overture and there are three or four acts to go."
Still, in the view of many Democrats, Pelosi's opening performance bodes well. She seemed to recover from postelection stumbles such as backing the losing candidate in the contest for House majority leader.
She also is getting a honeymoon from the public. Pelosi is held in higher regard than the president or her colleagues in the Congress. An AP-AOL News poll taken Jan. 16-18 put her approval rating at 51 percent — much higher than that of Congress (34 percent) or Bush (36 percent).
Rep. George Miller D-Calif., a close ally, called Pelosi's performance "spectacular."
"What the Democrats in the caucus are telling me is that this is the best three weeks of their life," he crowed.
Even moderates who are not always aligned with the liberal Pelosi were not complaining.
"I've had no problem choking down anything she's done to date," said Rep. Dennis Cardoza , D-Calif., a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Democrats. "I think she's done very well in the good old boy halls of Congress. She's been more collegial than some members thought she might be."
Pelosi, who is in her 10th House term, moved quickly to defuse the first potential controversy to beset her speakership: questions over whether the minimum wage bill gave preferential treatment to a company in her district. She instructed the bill's authors to make sure it did not.
She has been at the forefront of her party's opposition to Bush's proposed troop increase, carefully emphasizing that Democrats will not support any attempt to cut off money for soldiers already in Iraq.
And she has played tough with Republicans and Democrats alike.
Pelosi's move to end smoking in the House Speaker's Lobby came even though House Minority Leader John Boehner , R-Ohio, is a heavy smoker. She angered Rep. John Dingell , chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House's longest-serving member, by creating a special committee to look at global warming, which is under Dingell's committee's jurisdiction.
"I have yet to have it explained to me what good it is," grumbled Dingell, D-Mich., an auto industry ally who has clashed with Pelosi.
Newly demoted Republicans have been able to do little but watch unhappily from the sidelines, echoing the complaint often made by Democrats during their 12 years in the minority: that they are being shut out of the legislative process.
Yet several GOP lawmakers said it hardly is surprising that Pelosi is flexing her muscles now that she is leading the Democrats' return to power.
"Speaker Pelosi worked a long time to earn this opportunity to be elected speaker, and she is totally enjoying her first month on the job," said Rep. Tom Reynolds, R-N.Y.
"It's not that she's the first woman, it's her style," he added. "She's a risk taker."

As Situation in Guinea Gets Serious, Pres. Conte Begs Army to Support Him

(Reuters) - Guinea's President Lansana Conte called on the population and the army to remain united behind him on Sunday after days of violent protests against his rule during a crippling general strike in the West African country. Union leaders launched the 12-day-old stoppage because they say Conte, a reclusive diabetic in his 70s, is unfit to govern. Clashes between protesters and the security forces have killed at least eight people across the world's top bauxite exporter. "Those who want power must wait their turn. It is God who gives power and when he gives it to someone, everyone must stand behind him," the veteran president said on state radio. "Guineans must remain united, above all us soldiers, because we must be proud of wearing the uniform, a sign of allegiance to defending the country," he added. Conte seized power in Guinea in a 1984 coup and the strike poses the toughest challenge yet to his 23-year rule, threatening to throw the former French colony into turmoil. Religious leaders, the unions, civil society activists and the government were in talks to try to resolve the crisis, Guinea's Anglican bishop Albert Gomez told Reuters. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon urged all sides to show restraint. "He encourages them to avoid any action that would result in casualties and to reach a peaceful and mutually satisfactory agreement that would help restore calm and refocus the efforts of the country on poverty alleviation and development," a U.N. statement said. Conte's rule has long been based on the support of the military, but diplomats question how long the army -- itself riven by generational and ethnic divisions -- will remain loyal in the face of popular revolt. "There are lots of young officers in their 30s who are not just frustrated about Conte but about senior people in the army," said one diplomat in Conakry. BAUXITE TRAINS STONED Protesters in Labe, northeast of Conakry, slit the throat of an effigy symbolising Conte before marching it in a coffin through the streets at the weekend, residents said. State radio said youths had stoned mineral trains carrying bauxite to Conakry port. Industry officials have already said the strike has halted output at the country's main bauxite mine and mineral trains to Kamsar, northwest of Conakry. Police had arrested 95 people since the start of the strike, 10 of whom had been formally charged, state radio said. The ruling party called the protests an attempt to seize power. "These are not union demands but political demands. It is an attempted civilian coup d'etat," said Sekou Konate, secretary-general of Conte's Party of Unity and Progress (PUP). The violence spread on Friday to Guinea's south, a region seen as particularly vulnerable because of its porous borders with Liberia, Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. West African heads of state voted at a meeting of the regional body ECOWAS late on Friday to send a high-level commission to Guinea to urge negotiations between the unions and the government. Senegalese President Abdoulaye Wade and Nigeria's Olusegun Obasanjo both volunteered to head the delegation. Guinea's opposition said the planned mediation was too little, too late. "The Guinean people have already taken their destiny in hand. Now is not the moment to stop the process of change," said Jean Marie Dore, head of the opposition Union for the Progress of Guinea (UPG) party.

President Sirleaf Says Liberia is Ready To Help ECOWAS, Addresses Summit

President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf has told Heads of State and Government of the Economic Community of West African States that Liberia is available to play whatever role necessary to work for peace and stability in the West African sub-region. In a statement at the 31st Ordinary Summit of Heads of State and Government of ECOWAS, held in the Burkinabi capital, Ouagadougou, the President said Liberia has resolved to work within the Community framework for the peaceful resolution of the crisis in neighboring Cote d’Ivoire. Liberia’s own peace, President Johnson-Sirleaf acknowledged, is intricately tied to the peace in Cote d’Ivoire. According to an Executive Mansion Press Release, President Johnson-Sirleaf also expressed concern about the situation in neighboring Guinea, and offered her services, “in any way possible to contribute to restoring normalcy in that country.” The President recalled efforts being made within the framework of the Mano River Union to resolve the misunderstanding over a territory between Guinea and Sierra Leone.

U.N. Speacial War Crime Court Prosecutor in Sierra Leone Talks About Taylor's Trail

Recently the Prosecutor of the United Nations War Crime backed Court in Freetown addressed a number of issues regarding those on trail, including the former Liberian leader, Mr. Charles Taylor, see full text: "Thank you, Lovemore, for your kind introduction. Thank you also to the Sierra Leone News Agency for hosting this event. It is wonderful to be here with you all and I am very pleased that my first press conference as the Prosecutor of the Special Court is with you, the journalists of Sierra Leone. I wanted to be sure that before I spoke with the international press, I first met with Sierra Leone’s domestic reporters so that I could tell you personally how important I believe the work of the Special Court is to the people of this country, and to its future.

First, please let me tell you a bit about myself. I am originally from a small town in the state of Iowa, in the United States. In my early career I worked in private practice, on the staff of the US Senate in Washington, DC and as an elected representative in Iowa. In 1993 former President Bill Clinton appointed me as a United States Attorney for Northern Iowa, where I served until 2001. I then joined the Prosecution at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda. There I acted as the Senior Trial Attorney of what has been called the “Media Trial.” The defendants in the case were accused of committing genocide and crimes against humanity by virtue of the terrible hate speech they spread over a radio station and through a newspaper. I am very proud of the convictions we secured in that case. After the trial, I became the Chief of Prosecutions at the ICTR, a position I held until coming here to the Special Court.

Becoming the Prosecutor is truly a dream come true for me. I am honored and humbled to be part of such an important endeavor in the history of this country, an endeavor that I believe is marking a turning point for Sierra Leone. Since the end of the war, the international community, the government of Sierra Leone and the people of this nation have been working to create a more stable, prosperous and just society. The Special Court is certainly not the only part of this effort, but it is indeed a crucial component. The Court is both a concrete example and a symbol of this turning point. For many years there was chaos, now there is order. Where once there was volatility and violence, now there is peace. Where once wicked men shattered many thousands of lives, now impunity no longer reigns.

This Court also represents a greater hope for the international community as a whole. In the words of the United Nations Security Council, it is part of an effort “to end impunity, establish the rule of law and promote respect for human rights and to restore and maintain international peace and security.”

The Court has recently reached a significant milestone with the completion of the trial phases of the CDF and the AFRC cases. In the coming months the judges in these cases will render their verdicts. The RUF trial continues in May with the presentation of the Defense case. Finally, the trial of Charles Taylor will begin this year in The Hague. The Court’s Outreach Program has capitalized on the Court’s domestic location to communicate the Court’s message to every corner of the country and ensure a maximum number of citizens learn about what is happening in the case. For this reason, some are concerned about the decision to move the trial of Charles Taylor to The Hague. While I support this decision as necessary for the stability of the region, let me say how important I believe it is that the Taylor trial be brought home to the people of Sierra Leone. Every effort is and will be made to ensure that Sierra Leoneans have transparent access to this trial. Each case at the Special Court is heard, argued and decided upon in the name of the people of Sierra Leone, and the many miles between here and Mr. Taylor will not change that.

Let me say once again how pleased I am to be with you today and how honored I am to be part of this significant chapter in the history of Sierra Leone. I will be happy to take your questions."

UNMIL's Jamaican Police Receive Peacekeeping Medals

Mr. Ryan awarding medals to the Jamaican police officers
Photo: UNMIL

Monrovia, Liberia – The Officer-in Charge of UNMIL, Jordan Ryan, yesterday awarded United Nations peacekeeping medals to eight Jamaican police officers for their contributions to the peace process in Liberia.

Expressing his appreciation to the Jamaican officers for their commitment and dedication, Mr. Jordan Ryan said: “The training and mentoring you provide to the Liberia National Police officers will go a long way in building their capacity so that they can effectively and efficiently carry out their responsibilities.”

Mr. Ryan stressed the importance of continuing UNMIL’s support to the Liberian government: “Your work is contributing towards ending the culture of impunity in Liberia and re-establishing the Rule of Law in a country devastated by long years of conflict. Each and every one of you is playing an important role in achieving UNMIL’s principal objective of maintaining law and order and public safety.” The UNMIL Officer-in-Charge also urged the Jamaican officers to strictly abide by the Secretary-General’s policy of zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse.

The Jamaican police contingent in Liberia comprises of five women and three men who perform a range of functions in Monrovia and in Foya, Lofa County. The medal award ceremony was attended by senior UNMIL officials including the UN Police Commissioner Mohammad Alhassan.

UNMIL Public Affairs Press Releas

UNMIL Empowes Rivercess Educational System

Photo: Eric Kanalstein/UNMIL

Cestos City, Liberia – As part of the effort to rebuild the education sector and support the recovery and reconstruction initiatives in Liberia, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Alan Doss, has officially handed over the newly rehabilitated G. Flama Sherman Kindergarten to the authorities and residents of River Cess County, in the southern part of the country.

The rehabilitation of the kindergarten, which was funded by the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) through its Quick Impact Projects (QIPs), is part of a broader UN initiative to expand Liberia’s educational system. More than 50 per cent of all QIPs target educational facilities throughout Liberia, with special focus on areas receiving returning war-affected populations.

Addressing the River Cess County authorities and residents during the handover ceremony, Mr. Doss spoke about the importance of education in rebuilding the nation and noted that education is a right of every citizen of the world and the foundation of freedom. “Without education there is no lasting freedom,” he said.

The Special Representative acknowledged the challenges facing the County, highlighting the need to re-establish the rule of law, including the rehabilitation and construction of police stations, court houses and correctional facilities. Mr. Doss assured the residents that UNMIL would continue to work towards strengthening the security services and assist in the recovery of Liberia. He stressed the importance of maintaining peace. “Without peace and harmony we cannot progress,” he noted.

River Cess County Superintendent Mr. Francis Paye welcomed the delegation and praised UNMIL for its efforts to help rebuild the County. He also gave an overview of the challenges, including, health, education, communications, road conditions and the need to build a bridge across the Cestos River.

The Minister of Education, Dr. Joseph Korto, recognized that “not only is the education system in Liberia weak, but River Cess is one of the Counties that is underserved.” To show the intent of Liberia’s President to champion the cause of education, he announced a donation of computers for students in the County. He also stressed the importance of raising the standards of education, the need for more teachers and the incentives currently being established to encourage qualified teachers to return to the counties.

The hand-over ceremony was also attended by the Senior Senator of River Cess County, Mr. Jay Jonathan Banney, and senior UNMIL officials. While in Cestos City, the Special Representative also met with the Ethiopian contingent and UNMIL personnel deployed in the County.

UNMIL Public Affairs Press Release